Ancients: L. Hostilius Saserna (48 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.69 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 3/5 - 3/5, brushed. ...

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Vercingetorix, Champion of Freedom

L. Hostilius Saserna (48 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.69 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 3/5 - 3/5, brushed. Rome. Head of Gallic warrior (Vercingetorix?) right, with goatee and limed hair flowing back, chain around his neck; Gallic shield behind / L•HOSTILIVS / SASERN, nude Gallic warrior standing left in galloping biga right, brandishing spear in right hand, shield in left, driver with reins in right hand, whip in left. Crawford 448/2a. Sydenham 952. Hostilia 2.

From the Werner Collection. Ex Germania Inferior Numismatics, private sale

The traditional identification of the Gallic warrior depicted on the obverse of this issue as Vercingetorix, leader of the great Gallic rebellion against Caesar in 55-54 BC, is sometimes challenged as unprovable and unlikely. However, there is ample precedent for Romans placing portraits and images of defeated enemy rulers on their coinage (most prominently Philip V and Perseus of Macedon), and there is no reason to rule out such an attribution. The head is quite distinctive in its features, showing a rather haggard and emaciated warrior with his hair in wild disarray, perhaps reflecting the appearance of a man held captive by Caesar for four long years since the surrender of Vercingetorix at Alesia in 52 BC. Ultimately, it would be another two years before he was finally paraded through the streets of Rome in chains in Caesar's great triumph of 46 BC, after which the great champion of Gallic freedom was ritually strangled.

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